Stillking Films’ press release 2007-02-21
Only a few months since the release of the blockbuster movie Casino Royale (MGM/Columbia Pictures), Stillking Films’ latest co-production shot in Prague and the Czech Republic throughout the first six months of 2006, the Prague based international film production company brings yet another A-list names of the world film industry to the Czech Republic to begin production on two highly anticipated movies of the upcoming year – The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and Wanted.
Following the global smash “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, partially shot in the Czech Republic in 2005, return to Prague with its sequel The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian at the beginning of April for an 18 weeks shoot. The film, which is a Walden Media and Disney production, reunites the acclaimed director Andrew Adamson (Shrek, Shrek 2, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe), the cast and crew for principle photography at various locations around the Czech Republic as well as Barrandov Studios.
“We are delighted to welcome both new productions. The fact that Narnia returns to the Czech Republic proves an unceasing interest in this country by the foreign filmmakers, including its locations, excellent infrastructure, highly professional crew and cast, together with continually cost competitive budgets,“ says Matthew Stillman, Stillking Film’s Managing Director and Associate Producer on Prince Caspian and Co-Producer on Wanted.
“This will naturally not only increase the investments into this country and directly employ thousands of local people, but it also influences the tourism and interest in the Czech Republic as we have previously experienced after the theatrical releases of our past film productions such as Casino Royale, Last Holiday, The Illusionist, Van Helsing, Bourne Identity and others,” adds Matthew Stillman.
The Universal Pictures’ action movie Wanted is another major production hosted by the Czech Republic and the local co-producer Stillking Films, directed by the Moscow based stunning visual director Timur Bekmambetov, who is also known for his international sensations Nightwatch and Daywatch, two of the biggest grossing films ever in Russia. Wanted begins shooting in April for 12 weeks, starring Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby, Seven) and James McAvoy (The Last King Of Scotland, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe).
“We are currently at the stage of pre-production and will collaborate with our usual partners such as Barrandov and Modrany Studios (Prince Caspian), Prague Studios and CKD (Wanted), UPP, Filmka and others. It seems that Prague is busier than ever after completion of Casino Royale, for which we were a co-producer, and that is a very positive prospect for the future” claims David Minkowski, the Head of Film Production at Stillking Films, who also serves as the Associate Producer on Prince Caspian and Co-Producer on Wanted.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
This time around the Pevensie children return into the land of Narnia, only to discover that a thousand years have passed since they left, and the evil King Miraz has taken charge. The children are once again enlisted to join the colorful creatures of Narnia, such as heroic mouse Reepicheep or friendly lion Aslan, in combating an evil villain who prevents the rightful Prince Caspian from ruling the land. First published in 1951, Prince Caspian is the second book in the seven-book series written by CS Lewis and was intended as a continuation of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Based upon Mark Millar’s explosive graphic novel series, a sci-fi action movie Wanted tells the story of an ordinary account manager Wes (James McAvoy) who discovers that his long-lost father is an assassin. After his dad is murdered, the son is recruited into a covert organization of killers and trained to follow in his father’s footsteps, while he also discovers superhuman powers beyond his dreams. Morgan Freeman plays Sloan, a former partner of Wes’ father and the lead assassin who trains McAvoy.